Eyeglasses designed especially for use in water activities

Abstract

The invention relates to eyeglasses comprising a frame (1) in which at least one optical unit (2) is arranged, the frame being provided with an inextensible holding strap (7) which is intended to grip the head of the wearer, said strap having two front end portions (9), each one of which is attached to a connector (11) respectively secured to an edge of the frame (1), at least one connector (11) being provide with a reversible release system for attaching the front end portion (9) to the connector, the system comprising an elastic link (33) having a first end (33a) secured to the connector (11) and a second end (33b) secured to the front end portion, the link being designed so that the activation of the release system ensures the front end portion is elastically joined to the connector in order to enable the length of the holding strap to be elastically adjusted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to glasses comprising a frame in which at least one optical unit is disposed, said optical unit being provided with a transparent wall through which vision is achieved.

[0002] It applies in particular to goggles intended for aquatic activities such as swimming. In this case, the rear periphery of each optical unit may be equipped with a seal designed to fit the wearer's face, in order to prevent water from entering between the optical unit and the wearer's eye.

[0003] To keep the glasses securely on the wearer's head, the frame is equipped with a specially designed headband. Thus, some glasses include at least one flexible band, often made of elastic material, the ends of which are attached to a means, such as a slot or an adjustment buckle, connected to the outer edge of an optical unit.

[0004] With this type of glasses, adjusting the headband to the wearer's head circumference is done by pulling on the elastic band to apply circumferential tension and secure the glasses. This design presents a problem because the elastic band's elasticity is likely to deteriorate over time. Furthermore, tightening the band does not allow for even distribution of pressure around the wearer's head, which can compromise the comfort of wearing the glasses.

[0005] To overcome these drawbacks, document WO-2017 / 042409 describes swimming goggles with a frame equipped with a headband comprising two inextensible straps, each with a rear and a front end. The rear ends are engaged in a manually operated sliding mechanism to adjust the headband's length. Furthermore, each front end is attached to an edge of the frame, notably by means of a connector, to allow the headband's length, and thus its tightness around the head, to be adjusted by actuating the sliding mechanism.

[0006] Since the tightening is based on adjusting a fixed length of straps, and not on elastic tensioning them, such a solution, in addition to resolving the comfort and durability issues mentioned above, also allows for very precise adjustment of the usage configuration around the wearer's head, and therefore ensures better retention of the glasses on the wearer's head, particularly during aquatic activities such as swimming.

[0007] However, after adjusting the glasses to a usage configuration, this solution requires: an actuation of the movement mechanism to loosen the glasses, in particular to remove them, for example occasionally to allow the wearer to temporarily move them away from their eyes to evacuate water that has seeped under the optical unit; then a new actuation of the movement mechanism to return to the usage configuration.

[0008] Documents US2018 / 250556 A1 and KR200348298 Y1 describe other adjustable glasses.

[0009] Furthermore, the inextensible straps of the glasses do not allow them to be easily manipulated between uses, particularly between different positions of support on the wearer's head.

[0010] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular glasses which can be tightened optimally in the configuration of use around the wearer's head, while being able to be loosened and manipulated in a simplified way between two uses, in particular by retaining the setting corresponding to said configuration of use.

[0011] To this end, the invention proposes glasses comprising a frame in which at least one optical unit is disposed, said frame being equipped with an inextensible headband intended to encircle the wearer's head, said headband having two extreme front parts each fixed to a connector attached to respectively an edge of the frame, at least one connector being equipped with a reversible release system for the attachment of the extreme front part to said connector, said system comprising an elastic link having a first end attached to the connector and a second end attached to said extreme front part, said link being arranged so that the activation of the release system ensures an elastic association of said extreme front part on said connector in order to allow an elastic variation of the length of the headband.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig.1 ] is a perspective representation viewed from the back of glasses according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.2a ] And [ Fig.2b ] represent in perspective the glasses of the figure 1 with the extreme rear parts of the straps detached from the movement mechanism, respectively viewed from the front ( figure 2a ) and from the rear ( figure 2b ) ; [ Fig.3a ] And [ Fig.3b ] represent the frame of the glasses in the previous figures, respectively in top view ( figure 3a ) and in side view ( figure 3b) ; [Fig.4 ] is an exploded perspective representation of a connector for the glasses in the preceding figures, as well as the extreme front part intended to be engaged in said connector; [ Fig.5a ] And [ Fig.5b ] each represent a part of the connector of the figure 4 , these parts being respectively the actuation mechanism of the reversible release system of the extreme front part ( figure 5a ) and the cover of said connector ( figure 5b) ; [Fig.6 ] represents a side view of a strap from the previous figures; [ Fig.7 ] represents in exploded perspective the mechanism for moving the extreme rear parts of the straps in the previous figures; [ Fig.8a ], [ Fig.8b ] And [ Fig.8c ] respectively represent the hood ( figure 8a ), the toothed wheel ( figure 8b ) and the scroll wheel ( figure 8c ) of the displacement mechanism of the figure 7 ; Fig.9 ] is an exploded perspective representation of a reversible release system for the attachment of a front end portion of a headband to a connector according to another embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.10 ] is a perspective representation viewed from the back of glasses according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig.11 ] illustrates an embodiment of mounting a connector on the edge of the mount according to the invention; [ Fig.12 ] illustrates a connector according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] In relation to these figures, glasses are described below, particularly those intended for the practice of an aquatic activity such as swimming.

[0014] In this description, the terms of positioning in space refer to the position of the glasses relative to the head of a wearer wearing said glasses. In particular, the terms "back" and "front" refer to a position in front of and behind the head, respectively, and the terms "inside" and "outside" refer to positions close to and far from the wearer's nose, respectively.

[0015] The glasses comprise a frame 1 in which at least one optical unit 2 is arranged. In the embodiment shown, the glasses comprise two optical units 2 connected at their inner edges by a nose bridge 3.

[0016] In particular, the frame 1 includes two rims 4 in each of which an optical unit 2 is mounted, notably to provide peripheral protection to said optical unit and / or to improve the aesthetic appearance of the glasses, as well as a nose bridge 3 connecting the inner edges of said rims.

[0017] The 4 rings can be made of a thermoplastic material. The nose bridge 3 can be formed as a single piece with the 4 rings, as shown in the figures, or as a separate piece subsequently assembled to said rings. Similarly, the 4 rings can be formed as a single piece with the optical units 2.

[0018] Alternatively, the optical units 2 can be connected directly via the nose bridge 3, the function of the ring 4 then being ensured by the optical unit itself.

[0019] According to another variant, the frame 1 can be equipped with a single optical unit 2 to form a mask intended to be positioned opposite the wearer's two eyes, said frame comprising a rim which surrounds said optical unit and on the lower edge of which is formed a structure intended to rest on the wearer's nose.

[0020] Each optical unit 2 comprises a transparent wall 5 arranged so that vision is transmitted through it when the glasses are coated by the wearer, for example, by being made of glass or a transparent thermoplastic polymer material. In particular, the optical properties of the transparent wall 5 can be arranged to adapt to the wearer's vision and / or the ambient light.

[0021] Furthermore, the transparent wall 5 of each optical unit 2 has a rear periphery equipped with a seal 6 designed to conform to the wearer's face, specifically to prevent water from penetrating between their eye and the transparent wall. In particular, the seal 6 can be made of a flexible elastomer material and be arranged to provide a watertight seal around the wearer's eye.

[0022] To enable the glasses to remain on the wearer's head, the frame 1 is equipped with an inextensible headband 7 which is intended to encircle the wearer's head, said headband having two extreme front parts 9 each fixed to a connector 11 attached respectively to an edge of the frame 1.

[0023] In relation to the figure 10 , the support headband is formed of a single inelastic strap 7 on which extends on either side an extreme front part 9, the length of said strap being adapted to encircle the head of the wearer.

[0024] In relation to figures 1, 2 And 6 à 8 The headband 7 comprises two inextensible straps 7a, each having a rear end portion 8 and one of the front ends 9. The glasses are equipped with a mechanism 10 for moving the rear ends relative to each other, which is manually actuated to allow adjustment of the headband's length by actuation of the moving mechanism. Specifically, the rear ends are engaged in the moving mechanism 10.

[0025] This design allows tightening around the wearer's head by adjusting the inextensible length of the support band 7. In particular, the inextensible nature of the band 7 is understood in contrast to elastic straps in which tightening is achieved by elastically tensioning the fixed length of said straps which corresponds to the wearer's head circumference.

[0026] Furthermore, adjusting the headband 7 by varying the length of the straps 7a allows for an even distribution of the tightening pressure around the wearer's head, thus improving comfort while wearing the glasses. This also provides better stability of the glasses on the wearer's head and allows them to be worn with less tightening pressure than with an elastic strap.

[0027] In the embodiments shown, a connector 11 is arranged at the outer edge of each of the optical units 2, said outer edge being opposite the inner edge of said optical unit to which the nose bridge 3 is associated.

[0028] In relation to the figure 7 , the displacement mechanism 10 includes a housing 12 in which the rear extreme parts 8 of the straps 7a are arranged to slide.

[0029] The movement mechanism 10 is equipped with a rear sheath 13 having a geometry adapted to form the support band at the back of the wearer's head. In the figures, the sheath 13 has an arc-shaped geometry with a front face 14 designed to bear against the back of the wearer's head, said front face being provided with ribs 15 to limit slippage of said sheath along said head.

[0030] The sheath 13 can be made of a flexible material, particularly silicone-based, to best fit the shape of the back of the head, thus improving the wearer's comfort.

[0031] Advantageously, the housing 12 includes a track 16 for guiding the sliding of each of the rear extreme parts 8 of the straps 7a, in order to prevent the said extreme parts from blocking in said housing when adjusting the headband 7.

[0032] In relation to figures 7 And 8a , the displacement mechanism 10 includes a hood 17, said hood having a front face 18 on which are formed two tracks 16 spaced longitudinally apart, on each of which an extreme rear part 8 is arranged to be guided during its sliding in the housing 12.

[0033] The movement mechanism 10 further includes a support 19 on which the cover 17 is mounted, forming a housing 12 between them. This support is interposed between the sleeve 13 and the cover 17 and is arranged to retain the rearmost ends 8 sliding on their respective guide tracks 16. The support 19 has an arched geometry, with two circumferential ends, each equipped with means 20 for attaching to the respective circumferential ends 13a and 17a of the cover 17 and the sleeve 13.

[0034] In the embodiment shown, the rear extreme parts 8 of the straps 7a are equipped with teeth 8a in which a toothed wheel 21 of the displacement mechanism 10 is engaged, so that the rotation of said wheel in one direction or the other actuates the relative displacement of said extreme parts.

[0035] The rear extreme parts 8 are arranged on the sliding guide tracks 16 so as to be spaced longitudinally with their teeth 8a opposite, the toothed wheel 21 being mounted in rotation between said teeth in order to be able to selectively increase or decrease the overlap distance of said rear extreme parts.

[0036] To achieve this, the cover 17 has an opening 25 between the tracks 16, in which the gear 21 is located. Furthermore, the support 19 includes a rear face 22 on which an axis 23 extends perpendicularly, the gear 21 being mounted for rotation on said axis.

[0037] The toothed wheel 21 is driven in rotation by a wheel 24 which is mounted in rotation on the shaft 23. In the figures, the wheel 24 is mounted in rotation on the rear face of the cover 17 through the orifice 25 through which the shaft 23 passes to allow the wheel 24 to be mounted in rotation on it.

[0038] The wheel 24 and the toothed wheel 21 are mounted for rotation on the shaft 23 by means of a screw 26. Alternatively, the wheel 24 can be mounted directly on the shaft 23, for example by clipping.

[0039] The toothed wheel 21 includes lugs 27 which engage in bores 28 formed for this purpose in the wheel 24 to ensure their rotational locking. The wheel 24 further includes a cap 29 fixed by snap-fitting or gluing to its rear face, notably to conceal the screw 26 and the means 27, 28 for fixing the toothed wheel 21 for aesthetic purposes.

[0040] The dial 24 includes a periphery 24a arranged so that it can be manually grasped by the wearer, allowing it to be rotated to turn the toothed wheel 21, and thus move the rear extreme parts 8 to adjust the length of the straps 7a. To this end, the periphery 24a may, in particular, include ribs regularly distributed around its circumference to facilitate its grip by the wearer, for example by being made by overmolding an elastomeric material.

[0041] The toothed wheel 21 includes a toothed ring 21a which is arranged in the housing 12 so as to be able to mesh with the teeth 8a of the rear extreme parts 8 of the straps 7a, as well as arms 21b which are axially offset from said ring, said arms having lugs 30 intended to engage in notches 31 integral with the housing 12 to maintain the tightening position.

[0042] In relation to figures 7 And8b The toothed wheel 21 comprises two diametrically opposed arms 21b, said arms being radially curved inwards in the loosening direction and carrying an external lug 30. Furthermore, the receiving orifice 25 of the toothed wheel 21 has a periphery 32 formed on the rear face of the hood 17, said periphery having a ring of notches 31 with which the lugs 30 are selectively engaged during the rotation of said wheel in the tightening direction, in order to block the rotation of said wheel in the loosening direction.

[0043] To allow the loosening of the retaining band 7, the arms 21b are movable by rotation of the knob 24 in the loosening direction in order to disengage the lugs 30 from the notched ring 31. In particular, the arms 21b have a radially extended configuration in which the lugs 30 are engaged in the notched ring 31, and an internally flexed configuration for disengaging said lugs.

[0044] To achieve this, each of the arms 21b has a base for connecting to the wheel 21, beneath which the lug 27 is formed, and a free end equipped with a lug 50. Each of these lugs is engaged in an oblong bore 28, 51 respectively, allowing an angular travel between the knob 24 and said wheel. The bores 51 are arranged to induce a bending of the arms 21b over the angular travel stroke in the direction of loosening the knob 24.

[0045] In relation to figures 1 à 5b And10 at least one connector 11 is equipped with a reversible release system for the attachment of the extreme front portion 9 of the headband 7 to it. This system includes an elastic link 33 which has a first end at the front 33a which is associated with the connector 11 and a second end at the rear 33b which is associated with the extreme front portion 9. According to the figures 1 à 5b The elastic link 33 is rigidly connected in tension between the connector 11 and the end part, the figure 9 representing a compression arrangement of said link during the relative movement of the band 7 and the frame 1.

[0046] Alternatively, a front end - respectively rear end - of the elastic link 33 can be attached to the extreme front part 9 - respectively of the connector 11, in particular by providing an articulation between said connector and said extreme front part.

[0047] In relation to the figure 11 The connector 11 can be rotated on the edge of the mount 1 along a horizontal axis A. figure 12 illustrates an embodiment in which the extreme front part 9 is connected to the edge of the mount 1 by a connector 11 having a joint formed of a connecting rod 60 with two vertical axes of rotation B, said joint being constrained by an elastic link 33.

[0048] The release system is arranged so that its activation ensures an elastic association of the extreme front part 9 on the connector 11, in order to allow an elastic variation of the length of the support band 7.

[0049] This arrangement allows the wearer, without having to operate the adjustment mechanism 10, to elastically extend the retaining band 7 of their glasses, particularly over a sufficient distance to temporarily move the frame 1 away from their face, for example, to place it on their forehead or to drain water that has seeped between the optical units 2 and their eyes. In particular, after deactivating the release system, the wearer does not have to operate the adjustment mechanism 10 to use the glasses, thus saving time, especially in the case of a brief removal between uses.

[0050] Advantageously, as shown in the figures, each connector 11 is equipped with a reversible release system for the attachment of the extreme front part 9. Thus, the length of the retaining band 7 on each side of the frame 1 can be varied, which makes it possible to balance this variation and to facilitate the separation of the optical units 2 from the wearer's face.

[0051] Each connector 11 includes a housing 34 in which the extreme front part 9 and the corresponding elastic link 33 are disposed, said extreme front part, after release, being elastically movable in said housing between its fixed position and a position pulled partially out of said housing.

[0052] To elastically adjust the retention perimeter, the wearer can grasp the glasses by their frame 1 and then pull the frame forward to move it away from their face. Then, when the wearer stops pulling on the frame 1, the front extreme parts 9 are returned to their fixed position inside the corresponding housing 34 by the elastic return of the straps 33.

[0053] In the embodiments shown, each connector 11 comprises a support 35 associated with the outer edge of the mount 1, and a cover 36 mounted on said support to form the housing 34 between them. The support 35 is associated with the mount 1, in particular by overmolding, the cover 36 being formed of a separate piece which is associated, in particular by snap-fitting, with the support 35. Alternatively, the support 35 and the mount 1 can be made in the same piece, in particular made of a rigid material.

[0054] In connection with the implementation of the figure 4 To facilitate their movement, the extreme front parts 9 each have two lateral rails 37 which are guided in translation against respectively a wall 38 of the housing 34. In the figures, the guide walls 38 extend longitudinally respectively in the upper and lower parts of the hood 36.

[0055] Furthermore, the support 35 includes two projections 39 respectively upper and lower which each extend at the rear end of respectively a track 38, and on either side of a rear access opening to the housing 34.

[0056] Each rail 37 has a rear end on which is formed a step 37a intended to come against the corresponding projection 39 to delimit the end of traction travel of the extreme front part 9 out of the housing 34, in order to avoid a complete extraction of said housing of said extreme front part.

[0057] In relation to figures 4 And 5b The hood 36 and the extreme front part 9 each have a fastening element in the form of a pin 40, 41 around which the respective front end 33a and rear end 33b of the elastic link 33 are mounted. Advantageously, the pin 41 of the extreme front part 9 is guided in translation within a recess 48 formed for this purpose on the hood 36, thus providing additional translational guidance for the movement of the extreme front part 9.

[0058] Each extreme front part 9 is further fixed to the connector 11 by engaging a tooth 42 in a cavity 43, the reversible release system comprising an actuating member allowing the release of said tooth.

[0059] To do this, the actuation member includes at least one push button 44 which is arranged to induce a displacement of the tooth 42 over a clearance stroke of the cavity 43, said cavity being formed on the extreme front part 9.

[0060] In the figures, the actuation mechanism includes two push buttons 44 which are arranged laterally on either side of the extreme front part 9, in particular by being accessible from a cavity respectively upper and lower formed in the support 35 and / or in the cover 36. Thus, to actuate the reversible release system, the wearer of the glasses 1 can simultaneously pinch the buttons 44 between two of his fingers, in particular his thumb and index finger, which constitutes a particularly simple and intuitive gesture.

[0061] The pushbuttons 44 are mounted on either side of a tab 45 carrying the tooth 42, and each has a bearing surface 46 for the movement of said tab along its release stroke. In particular, the bearing surfaces 46 are arranged to bear laterally on the tab 45 to move the tooth 42 away from the cavity 43 along a release stroke perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0062] In relation to figures 4 , 5a And 9 The actuation mechanism is formed as a single piece comprising the pushbuttons 44, their respective bearing surfaces 46, and the tab 45 carrying the tooth 42, thus facilitating assembly and manufacturing, particularly by molding from a plastic material. Each pushbutton 44 also has a bearing surface on which ribs 47 are formed, which facilitates the positioning of the wearer's fingers on them.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the elastic link 33 is in its nominal rest state when the extreme front part 9 is fixed on the connector 11, a forward pull of the mount 1 putting said elastic link under stress, in extension or compression, which returns to its nominal fixed state after said pull.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the elastic link 33 can be slightly constrained when the end part 9 is attached to the connector 11. In particular, the constraint can be arranged so as to slightly displace the front end part 9 out of said connector when it is released, by elastic return to its rest state.

[0065] Thus, in the absence of traction on the frame 1, the cavity 43 is slightly offset relative to the tooth 42, which prevents their engagement when the wearer releases the push buttons 44. In particular, this design allows the wearer to maintain the elastic release of the headband 7 until a push is exerted on the frame 1 to activate its fastening by putting the elastic link 33 under stress.

[0066] According to another embodiment, the constraint of the elastic link 33 in the fixed position is arranged so as to allow automatic fixing of the headband 7 in the absence of action on the frame 1.

[0067] There figure 9 represents such an embodiment in which the elastic link 33 is in the form of a spring which is compressed between the front end 9 and the connector 11, the actuation of the push buttons 44 allowing the movement of the mount 1 by further compression of said spring.

Claims

1. Eyeglasses comprising a frame (1) in which at least one optical unit (2) is arranged, said frame being provided with an inextensible holding band (7) which is intended to grip the head of the wearer, said band having two front end portions (9), each one of which is attached to a connector (11) respectively secured to an edge of the frame (1), said eyeglasses being characterised in that at least one connector (11) is provided with a reversible release system for attaching the front end portion (9) to said connector, said system comprising an elastic link (33) having a first end (33a) secured to the connector (11) and a second end (33b) secured to said front end portion, said link being designed so that the activation of the release system ensures said front end portion to be elastically joined to said connector in order to enable the length of the holding band to be elastically adjusted.

2. Eyeglasses according to claim 1, characterised in that the holding band (7) comprises two inextensible straps (7a), each having a rear end portion (8) and one of the front end portions (9), said eyeglasses being equipped with a mechanism (10) for moving said rear end portions relative to one another, which is manually operable to allow adjustment of the length of said band by operating the moving mechanism (10).

3. Eyeglasses according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the tension of the elastic link (33) in a fixed position is designed so as to enable automatic securing of the band (7) in the absence of any action on the frame (1).

4. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the connector (11) comprises a housing (34) in which the front end portion (9) and the elastic link (33) are disposed, said front end portion, once released, being elastically movable within said housing between its fixed position and a position partially drawn out of said housing.

5. Eyeglasses according to claim 4, characterised in that the front end portion (9) has two lateral rails (37) which are guided in translation against, respectively, a wall (38) of the housing (34).

6. Eyeglasses according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the connector (11) comprises a support (35) associated with the edge of the frame (1), and a cover (36) mounted on said support to form the housing (34) therebetween.

7. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the front end portion (9) is secured to the connector (11) by engagement of a tooth (42) in a recess (43), the reversible release system comprising an actuating member allowing the disengagement of said tooth.

8. Eyeglasses according to claim 7, characterised in that the actuating member comprises at least one push-button (44) which is arranged to cause the tooth (42) to move over a release stroke.

9. Eyeglasses according to claim 8, characterised in that the actuating member comprises two push buttons (44) which are arranged laterally on either side of the front end portion (9), said push buttons being mounted on either side of a tongue (45) carrying the tooth (42), each having a bearing surface (46) for moving said tongue along the release stroke.

10. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the connector (11) and the front end portion (9) each comprise a fastening element (40, 41) for a respective front end (33a) and rear end (33b) of the elastic link (33).

11. Eyeglasses according to claim 10, characterised in that the fastening element (41) of the front end portion (9) is guided in translation within an imprint (48) formed on the connector (11).

12. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterised in that the moving mechanism (10) is provided with a rear sleeve (13) having a geometry adapted to form the holding band at the back of the head of the wearer.

13. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterised in that the moving mechanism (10) comprises a housing (12) in which the rear end portions (8) of the straps (7a) are slidably arranged, said housing (12) comprising a guide track (16) for the sliding movement of each of said rear end portions.

14. Eyeglasses according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterised in that the rear end portions (8) of the straps (7a) are provided with teeth (8a) with which a gear wheel (21) of the moving mechanism (10) is engaged so that rotation of said gear wheel in either direction actuates the respective movement of said rear end portions.

15. Eyeglasses according to claim 14, characterised in that the gear wheel (21) comprises a toothed ring (21a) and arms (21b) which are axially offset from said ring, said arms bearing lugs (30) intended to engage with notches (31) to maintain the gripping position.

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